Flumist Trivalent 2024-2025 10exp6.5-7.5 FF unit/0.2 mL nasal spray

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Medication name

Generic name:
Influenza virus vaccine live - nasal

Pronunciation
(IN-floo-EN-za VYE-rus vak-SEEN)

Brand name(s)
FluMist

Uses

This vaccine is used to help prevent influenza ("flu") in children and adults. Influenza can cause serious (rarely fatal) illness, especially in people at high risk from the infection (such as young children, older adults, people with chronic health problems). This vaccine is also called the seasonal flu vaccine. It contains live viruses that have been weakened. It works by increasing the body's natural defense (immunity) against the virus.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against this infection. It can help prevent the infection or decrease the seriousness of the illness if you become infected. Since different types of flu viruses cause infection every flu season, a new vaccine is made and given every year.

Vaccines may not fully protect everyone who receives them.

How to use

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

This vaccine is given by a health care professional. It is sprayed into each nostril, one at a time. Sit or stand upright with your head tilted back when you receive the vaccine.

The vaccination is usually given once a year during September to November, the time when the number of flu cases begin to increase (the start of "flu season"). Children younger than 9 years may receive a second dose depending on when the first dose was given. Discuss the dose schedule with your health care professional.

Side effects

Cough, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, headache, chills, or tiredness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your health care professional promptly.

Remember that this vaccine has been prescribed because your health care professional has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this vaccine do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this vaccine is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

  • rash
  • itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
  • severe dizziness
  • trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your health care professional.

Contact the health care professional for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Precautions

Before you receive this vaccine, tell the health care professional if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as gentamicin, gelatin, arginine), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your health care professional for more details.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell your health care professional your medical history, especially of:

  • breathing problems (such as asthma, wheezing, lung disease)
  • current fever/illness
  • diabetes
  • a certain nerve disorder (Guillain-Barre syndrome)
  • immune system disorders (such as due to HIV infection, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma, cancer or radiation treatment)
  • kidney disease
  • vaccination history (including previous reactions to any vaccines)

This vaccine contains a weakened form of the flu virus. After receiving the vaccine, you may be able to infect others with flu for up to 3 weeks. Rarely, infections may occur in people in close contact with someone who has received this vaccine. Caution is advised if you have regular close contact with family/household members with weakened immune systems (for example, due to cancer).

Children aged 2 to 17 years who are taking aspirin should not receive this vaccine due to the risk for developing Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition. Also, children in this age group should not use products containing aspirin for 4 weeks after receiving this vaccine unless directed by the doctor. Consult the doctor for details.

This form of the vaccine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Instead, a flu vaccine that is given by injection is recommended. Consult your health care professional for more details.

It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. Consult your health care professional before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

See also Precautions section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this vaccine are:

  • drugs that weaken the immune system (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids such as prednisone)

Avoid taking certain drugs that fight flu virus (such as amantadine, oseltamivir, rimantadine) when receiving this vaccine. If you are currently taking any of these drugs, you should not receive this vaccine until at least 48 hours after stopping treatment. Do not take any of these drugs until at least 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine.

Overdose

Not applicable.

Notes

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Keep vaccine records for yourself and your children and provide them to the health care professionals to prevent unnecessary re-vaccinations.

Missed dose

This vaccine is usually given once every flu season. If your child is prescribed a second dose, mark your calendar with a reminder. If your child misses the dose, call the health care professional to reschedule.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep the product in the original carton to protect from light. This product may be taken out of the refrigerator and put back in the refrigerator only once, if needed. The total time out of the refrigerator should not be more than 12 hours. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Important note

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Information last revised February 2025.

Selected from NATIONAL DRUG DATA FILE (NDDF) data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc., 2019. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider.

The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your health care professional. You should consult your health care professional before taking any drug, changing your diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.